Types of Virtual Events
Just what are the types of virtual events? Essentially any type of event that replaces or adds to a physical event uses a virtual event platform.
Virtual events have become an integral part of our lives, especially in the past few years. As an expert in the field, I have had the opportunity to attend and organize numerous virtual events, each with its own memorable moments and impactful experiences.
Understanding Virtual Events
Virtual events have emerged as a powerful and transformative way for people to connect, learn, and engage with one another. They have become important because of technology and the need for remote interactions. They give us a special and immersive experience beyond physical limits.
So, what exactly makes up a virtual event? A virtual event can be defined as an event, trade show, or conference that takes place online. Participants can attend and engage from the comfort of their own homes or offices. These events utilize a virtual event platform as the venue to host the event. These platforms integrate various components to create a dynamic and interactive experience.
Benefits of Virtual Events
The rise of virtual events has brought about numerous benefits that have revolutionized the way we connect and engage. Firstly, virtual events offer a wider reach compared to traditional in-person gatherings. Participants from around the world can join, creating a diverse and inclusive environment. This expands networking and boosts global knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Moreover, virtual events are highly cost-effective. Organizations can save money by hosting events online, instead of renting venues, making travel arrangements, and providing accommodation and catering. Virtual events are affordable and accessible for everyone, including individuals and businesses of all sizes.
Convenience is another key advantage of virtual events. Participants can join in whenever they want, without having to travel or be there in person. This not only saves time but also allows individuals with busy schedules or other commitments to still engage and benefit from the event. Virtual events can be recorded and watched later, so participants can access the content anytime.
What is an Example Virtual Event?
Virtual events can take various forms, including conferences, trade shows, product launches, and networking events. Guests can join these events online and watch speeches, discussions, and workshops through live streaming. Companies can use virtual platforms to show their newest products or services. Attendees can learn about features, ask questions, and join virtual demonstrations. Virtual networking events provide professionals with opportunities to connect, collaborate, and exchange knowledge.
What Kind Of Different Virtual Events Are There?
Virtual events are remarkably similar to physical events. They enable groups of people, from any location or device, to connect to learn, discuss, and interact. Virtual attendees consume content, exchange contact information, and can even receive training or learn new material the same way you would in a classroom setting.
So, what kind of virtual events can you host and what kind of virtual experiences can you create?
1) Virtual Conference
Conferences are larger, more comprehensive virtual events. They typically involve multiple speakers, workshops, and networking sessions, and can last for several days. These events can be a great way to connect with experts in your field and learn about the latest trends and developments.
2020 proved to corporations and non-profit organizations that virtual conferences are a viable option to in-person meetings. Virtual conference platforms have evolved to include immersive design and powerful attendee engagement features to allow attendees to consume content and engage with speakers, sponsors, and fellow attendees.
A virtual conference can be designed as a simple environment that organizes sessions with content and engagement. Or a larger-scale environment to include exhibitor booths as well as other rooms and spaces.
One virtual conference that stands out in my mind was a global summit on sustainable development. The event brought together experts, policymakers, and industry leaders from around the world to discuss and collaborate on pressing environmental issues. People from various time zones and cultures could participate in the virtual event. The diversity improved the discussions and helped us see sustainable development from a global viewpoint.
One of the highlights of this virtual conference was the use of breakout sessions. Participants were able to discuss specific topics of interest in smaller groups. This created a more personal and interactive experience. To keep the agenda shorter and cater to a virtual audience, the organizer set these sessions into concurrent tracks by topic. I went to a session on renewable energy. I met professionals who liked the same things as me. We shared ideas on new solutions. The online platform made it easy to connect and share information, making the event interesting and informative. Finally, I thought that the group discussion rooms were useful. I was able to joined threaded discussions by topic during the live event and also during the on-demand period.
2) Virtual Trade Show
A virtual trade show is a digital event that allows vendors and buyers to connect, network and conduct business without ever having to leave their homes or offices. It is an online version of a traditional trade show, where companies can showcase their products and services, network with other businesses, and generate leads.
Virtual trade shows are becoming increasingly popular as businesses look for new ways to reach potential customers and stay connected. They offer a number of advantages over traditional trade shows, including eliminating the need for travel, reducing costs, and allowing businesses to reach a wider audience. One of the biggest benefits of a virtual trade show is the ability to reach a global audience. With a virtual trade show, companies can showcase their products and services to buyers from all over the world. This means that companies can target their markets more effectively and tap into new markets that may have previously been inaccessible.
I attended a virtual trade show last year that stood out in particular. The trade show displayed new technology and had people from different industries attending. What struck me was the level of personalization and customization that the virtual platform offered. Each exhibitor had a virtual booth. They could show their products and services using interactive displays and live demos. I explored the booths at my own pace, interacted with representatives through live chats, and even scheduled one-on-one meetings for potential collaborations. It was an amazing experience that exceeded expectations.
3. Webinars
Webinars are one of the most popular types of virtual events. They are typically one-time events, hosted online, and attended by a large number of people who can join from anywhere in the world. Webinars are ideal for presentations, Q&A sessions, and expert panels. They are often interactive, with chat rooms and polls that allow participants to engage with the presenter and each other.
4) Virtual Career Fairs or Virtual Job Fairs
One type of virtual event that never fails to excite me is virtual career fairs. The idea of connecting job seekers with potential employers in a virtual setting is both innovative and convenient. Participants can explore career opportunities without traveling, all from the comfort of home. I think it’s interesting to see how virtual career fairs use technology to be like in-person job fairs. They have virtual booths, live chats, and even video interviews. Attending a virtual job fair saves time and money for job seekers and employers. It also helps people who can’t go to traditional job fairs due to distance. Virtual career fairs truly level the playing field and create equal access to job opportunities.
Virtual Career Fairs are becoming an increasingly popular way to attract and recruit talent across geographic boundaries. One global professional services firm held a two-day virtual career fair that spanned 40 countries, yielding 20,000 registrants and 10,000 attendees over the course of 48 hours.
Virtual recruiting allows candidates from any time zone to engage with an organization’s recruiting staff when it’s best for them.
Virtual career fairs can also speed up the recruiting process, since hiring managers can interact with candidates before they proceed with interviews, and it is easy to escalate candidates with whom they’re interested. It is also generally easier to arrange meetings with hiring managers since no travel is involved.
Finally, virtual job fairs facilitate reaching passive job seekers that are already employed. Passive candidates appreciate the ease (no need to take time off of work) and privacy (they have concerns with being seen at a physical job fair) of attending a virtual career fair.
5) Virtual Sales Kick-Off
Companies use sales kick offs to give their sales reps the tools and motivation they need to divide and conquer for the upcoming year.Historically sales kickoffs Sales kickoff (SKO) events are often long and expensive get-together’s that leave attendees looking forward to the flight home.
Research shows that salespeople forget 80-90% of what they learn after just one month, diminishing the long-term value of an expensive event down to virtually nothing. Research also indicates that 7 out of 10 companies do not deliver post-work follow-up or training. Yikes!
Growing global work-forces require flexible solutions- and the solution is virtual. A virtual event can quite literally incorporate the entire sales force for a quarter of the price, while presentations can be recorded and utilized as resources all year-long. Instead of having just one sales event per year that only one-quarter of the global sales team can attend, for example, a company can host four events a year that can accommodate the entire global sales team for the same price.
Moving from annual to quarterly virtual sales kick-off events increases employee engagement, integrates AI training, and boosts the ROI of the SKO investment.
Want to learn more about hosting a virtual sales kick-off? Read Communique’s Virtual Sales Kick-Off eBook.
6) Online Training / e-Learning Events
Virtual training events are convenient and flexible, but they can be challenging to make interactive and engaging. In-person training sessions often benefit from face-to-face interactions, group discussions, and hands-on activities. However, with the right approach, virtual training events can still be effective. By incorporating interactive elements like live Q&A sessions, breakout rooms for small group discussions, and interactive polls, trainers can create a more engaging and participatory learning experience. It is essential to strike a balance between delivering content and providing opportunities for attendees to actively engage and apply the knowledge they’ve gained. Although there may be limitations, online training events have the advantage of reaching a wider audience and can be more cost-effective than in-person training sessions.
7) Virtual University Fairs
Universities host several types of virtual events to help students & alumni engage with Universities as well as top employers globally.
- Virtual Open Day – Enables prospective students to view and explore what the university has to offer as well as interact with faculty and alumni. Virtual open days attract 3 to 5 times more students as compared to a physical event.
- Virtual Job Fair – Helps students connect and network with employers and recruiters from any location.
8. Virtual Benefits Fair
According to a recent survey from Aflac, half of employees only spend 30 minutes or less making benefit selections during the open enrollment. This means that HR teams have a short window of time to educate employees (and spouses) and make sure they are armed with the right benefits selection information.
Virtual benefits fairs enable organizations to educate and communicate benefits plan information to geographically dispersed employees. Employees can visit a theater room to watch live or on-demand presentations on such topics as health plan options, the consumer choice plan (is it right for you?), the health savings account and making the most of your flexible spending account. Exhibit halls contain booths staffed by health, wellness, and financial providers enabling employees, and their spouses, to ask questions and access information.
Related Article: How to Host a Virtual Benefits Fair: Step-by-Step Guide
9. Virtual Health or Wellness Fair
A virtual health fair is an online event designed to provide individuals with access to health-related resources and information. It’s similar to an in-person health fair, but instead of gathering in one physical location, participants are able to attend the virtual event from the comfort of their own homes.
Virtual health fairs provide participants with a wide range of health-related resources and information. This can include everything from educational materials, to live webinars, to health screenings. Many health fairs also offer online chats with healthcare professionals or other experts, giving participants the opportunity to ask questions and get answers.
Virtual health fairs are becoming increasingly popular, as they provide easy access to health information and resources without the need to travel or take time off work. They are also more cost effective than in-person health fairs, as there is no need to rent a physical space or pay for food or other amenities.
Related resource: Expert Tips & Best Practices for Hosting a Virtual Health Fair
10. Virtual Fundraising Gala
Another type of event shows the value of virtual events. It comes from a nonprofit organization that hosted a virtual fundraising gala. They were hesitant at first. When forced to move their annual gala to a virtual format. They feared they would not get the same engagement and donations. However, they were pleasantly surprised by the outcome. They used interactive features on the virtual platform. These included live auctions and donation buttons. Overall, they created an immersive and engaging experience for attendees. The organization exceeded their fundraising goal. The case study serves as a testament to the potential of virtual events in driving meaningful impact and support for causes.
Lessons Learned
One of the key lessons I’ve learned from organizing and participating in virtual events is the importance of creating a seamless and user-friendly virtual experience. The platform should be intuitive and easy to navigate, with clear instructions for attendees on how to access different features and sessions. It’s crucial to test the platform thoroughly before the event to identify any potential technical issues and ensure a smooth experience for all participants.
Additionally, virtual events require careful planning and coordination. To make the event run smoothly, create a clear schedule with enough time between sessions for breaks. We should consider the session length because long presentations make attendees tired and uninterested. By planning and organizing the event thoughtfully, organizers can create a seamless and well-paced experience for participants.
The significance of interactivity and engagement is also critical as virtual events can sometimes feel disconnected and impersonal. It’s essential to incorporate interactive elements to keep attendees engaged. This can include live Q&A sessions during presentations, interactive polls to gather real-time feedback, and breakout rooms for small group discussions.
Lastly, it’s crucial to gather feedback and evaluate the success of the virtual event afterward. Sending out post-event surveys to attendees can provide valuable insights into what worked well and what could be improved for future events. Analyzing attendee feedback and engagement metrics can help organizers refine their strategies and make data-driven decisions to enhance the overall virtual event experience.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the resilience and adaptability of the event industry. It forced event organizers to think outside the box and reimagine the possibilities of virtual events. They had to find innovative ways to create engaging and interactive experiences that would capture the attention and interest of attendees. This led to the emergence of new technologies and platforms specifically designed for virtual events, offering features and functionalities that were previously unimaginable.
Conclusion
Virtual events have been transformative. They have also been a valuable alternative to in-person gatherings. Speakers at these events share personal stories and experiences, which create a sense of truth and inspire action. Whether it’s hearing about the challenges faced by entrepreneurs or the frustrations experienced by underrepresented groups. These personal narratives create a safe space for dialogue and a desire for change.
Virtual job fairs, on the other hand, have changed the job search. They let seekers connect with employers from anywhere. They are convenient and cost-effective. Also, they level the playing field and provide equal access to job opportunities.
Online training events have limits. But, they can still be effective with interactive elements. Live Q&A sessions, breakout rooms, and polls can improve learning. They enable participants to engage and apply what they know.
Organizing successful virtual events requires careful planning and coordination. The platform should be user-friendly and intuitive, with clear instructions for attendees. Interactivity and engagement are key. They keep participants connected and interested throughout the event. Effective communication and promotion are crucial for the success of future virtual events. Gathering feedback afterward is also crucial for their improvement.
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